So at last the Internationl break is over, the last one of the year thank goodness, as six International games have interrupted the season since the beginning of September. The clubs, players and the coaching staff can now get down to the real business of trying to win points and advancing in cup competitions.

There are as always a couple of huge fixtures , battles affecting the top and bottom of the league and it will be interesting to see who benefits from the results and which teams and coaches come under more pressure.

Sat 23 Nov 2013 – Premier League

Everton v Liverpool 12:45– We start with as big a game as you will find anywhere, the Liverpool giants go head to head for the first time this season knowing that the victor will probably finish the weekend lying in second position in the league. At Goodison Everton have become a difficult team to overcome and have already beaten some of the top teams there. Liverpool are probably one of the surprise packages of the season so far in that they are probably doing better than most expected. Because this is a local derby there will be that little extra effort and passion,being at home this favours Everton and so I am taking them to grab a narrow win. Home win 2-1

Arsenal v Southampton 15:00-Another tough one to call as both teams are flying higher than expected, Arsenal somehow seem to be able to overcome the tightest of defences and there are none that are currently more keen to defend what they have than Southampton. This is not an easy one to call and will probably depend upon whether Arsenal can score that first early goal as they seem to have a habit of doing in the league. I think that this will be a stern examination of Arsenal’s title credentials and one that they will just about overcome. i predict some worrying moments for Arsenal from a very good Southampton and another narrow win for the home team. Home 2-1

Fulham v Swansea 15:00-Both teams will be keen to get their season back on track after some problems as neither have managed to produce what might have been expected of them. Fulham are a team of experienced skillful players but lacking terribly in pace while Swansea have at times flattered to deceive. We Tottenham supporters had become used to Martin jol’s teams being slow starters but until his final season he managed to turn the team around and as we know took us to a couple of 5th place finishes, whether fulham are prepared to give him that opportunity might seem unlikely with the appointment of a respected coach appointed as his assistant. Swansea and their coach Laudrup play football the right way but domestically it is not happening for them as one or two of their big players seem to be stuttering a little. I can’t see past a draw .1-1

Hull v Crystal Palace 15:00-Palace at last turned the corner and managed a clean sheet at last while Hull are struggling to score goals. There are some that are calling Tom Huddlestone the purchase of the season so far and alongside Jake Livermore a decent partnership is growing. Palace might have managed to seal a leaking defence but they are still finding it almost impossible to find goals and so it’s Hull for me and a convincingly. Home 3-0

Newcastle v Norwich 15:00-Who would have thought that Newcastle would have beaten Chelsea and Tottenham in consecutive games but by doing so their confidence will be high and the crowd behind them will have an extra decibel or two in their cheers. At the moment you don’t know what you are going to get from Norwich from one week to the next but in all fairness they have played a disproportionate amount of teams in the top half of the table to the bottom half. Because Newcastle are on a high and have the benefit of home advantage I foresee another win for them.Home 3-0

Stoke v Sunderland 15:00-Both coaches seem to have got their teams back on song and getting better results. Gus Poyet’s Sunderland are on a massive high having beaten title favourites Mancheser City last time out and Newcastle before that. Stoke are a whole new ball game a team prepared to battle to the last and with some players so unorthodox that they cause any defence at the Potteries problems. Draw 1-1

West Ham v Chelsea 17:30-Both team suffered bad results last time out and will be keen to get back on track. West Ham are suffering from a lack of forwards that they will find almost impossible to resolve before the transfer window next opens and so will set up to play for a snatch and grab as they did at Tottenham recently. Chelsea just don’t seem to be able to find the right blend or maybe they just have too many players of similar ability in their ranks all wishing to play in every game. This should be a comfortable victory for Chelsea but it could so easily all go wrong but because of a lack of forward flair in West Hams ranks. Away 2-0